Air and Sea Search Continues for Missing Kayaker

Ocean Safety crews patrol the waters off of South Maui, 1/25/12. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The search for a missing kayaker continues after efforts on Wednesday turned up no signs of the missing man.

The search for Torry Durrell, 55, of Kihei, was launched at around 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, when a neighbor reported that he failed to return from kayaking the day before.

The man’s kayak was found approximately 200 yards off Kalepolepo Beach Park in South Maui on Tuesday, a day prior to the missing persons report being filed.

The search has already covered 96 square miles.

Crews from an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Air Station Barbers Point planned to continue searching until 11 p.m., then suspend the search overnight, before resuming efforts on Thursday morning.

Helicopter crews scan the south Maui shoreline for a missing kayaker, Jan. 25, 2012. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Crews from the Hilo based Coast Guard Cutter, Kiska, planned to remain on the scene overnight after arriving on the scene on Wednesday afternoon.

Maui based crews from the Maui Fire Department planned to resume their search at first light on Thursday.

In addition to the air support, a 45-foot Motor Life boat crew from Coast Guard Station Maui also assisted with the response.

The extensive search of the the ocean and shoreline fronting the Whale Sanctuary to Kamaole Beach Park I, also included assistance from Engine and Ladder crews from Wailea, Rescue crews from Kahului, the Maui Fire Department’s Air-1 helicopter, Lifeguards, and Jet Skis from Wailea and Kihei.

Search crews say Durrell has grey hair and blue eyes.

Ocean safety crews kept busy on Wednesday assisting with the search, and also responding to a report of a shark encounter with no injuries at Kamaole Beach Park III.  The incident resulted in the closure of the south Maui shoreline for several miles as a precautionary measure.